Tarmey suffered a major heart attack in 1976, and had infrequent health problems thereafter, but that did not hinder his status as one of the programme's longest-serving and most popular actors. In 2001, a documentary entitled Jack & Bill was made about his time on Coronation Street. In 2008 it was reported in the media that he would quit his 29-year role as Jack Duckworth (his screen wife Elizabeth Dawn had recently retired from the programme due to health problems) but Bill refuted those claims and vowed to carry on until at least his thirtieth anniversary on the show.

Tarmey's other television credits include Crown Court and Strangers. Also an accomplished singer, he released several albums.